Miyako and Satomi had been fleeing for a few days now, having no clue of where they were going. To put it simply, they were lost. And they have not even found any civilization yet, not even a sign. But they could not stop. At least a lot of those times, it was peaceful.

However, there were occasions that they would realize that their pursuers were close. Somehow, they were always able to track them down, they must have an incredible tracker with them. And thus, they had to continue moving.

When they had temporarily lost them, they would have time to hunt some monsters for food. And thankfully, they found a source of water, helping them survive. However, eventually, the enemy caught up to them.

They continued running for hours and hours. Miyako was getting more and more tired, but her adrenaline and desperation drove her to keep on running. However, their enemies had more strength and stamina, and gradually they closed up to them.

If it came to it, they may have to fight. However, that was the last desperate straw. Fighting them would mean certain demise.

And then, when they were about to be caught, smoke or some kind of fog suddenly filled their surroundings, prompting them to stop. They could not even see what was in front of them. And it also seemed to have disoriented their enemies as well.

They had no idea where this fog even came from, it was all sudden. It was unnatural. Whatever caused this, it might be nearby, and quite dangerous. If they mindlessly go, they might get caught up in even more danger. They had to be careful.

However, a person suddenly came up to them. It was a woman. And she did something truly shocking.

How is this possible?

Miyako stared dumbfounded at her own sword, the blade was frozen. The blade that was originally on fire. How could someone just overwhelm her flames like that? True it was merely for illumination, but still, to freeze it instantly. She couldn't even reignite it so easily. This ice was dense and utterly cold. Just how much mana was in the ice?

"Satomi, what is this?"

"I-I don't know."

"What do you think we should do?"

"She said to stay put, should we?"

"It doesn't seem like she wants to hurt us." That was how Miyako took it. If she wanted to attack them, then that stranger should have already done so. "Could she be the one behind this fog?"

"I… I think so." Satomi clenched her sword tightly. "I didn't even sense her coming."

Miyako couldn't sense her coming, either. "Is she some kind of ninja?" She suggested. Something that would certainly offend someone if she ever heard about it.

"Could be."

And then, eventually, the two of them sensed some kind of battle happening amidst the fog. They stood there quietly and warily.

Is she seriously fighting them alone? Or is she with someone?

There was no way a single person could defeat them. Even Miyako's security detail couldn't defeat them, there was no way a lone woman could hope to win. Therefore, she must be with some people.

And some time later, and the battle settled, the fog immediately subsided. Miyako's eyes widened when she witnessed the scene before her.

How?

Everyone was dead, their pursuers were dead. Their blood pooled on the ground, and from the looks of it, their throats were slit. And what stood at the center, under the unveiled moonlight, was the woman in a cloak. The same woman they met. There wasn't much chaotic battle, then could it be that she killed them another way? A way that was less conspicuous?

Who is she?

She stood before the corpse of the enemy leader. One that Miyako couldn't even hope to defeat. And she did it, all alone. The strange woman sheathed her faintly glimmering daggers and headed to one enemy that was still moving. She picked up a sword and, without hesitation, pushed it down his neck.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Afterward, the woman slowly walked towards them.

"Milady, stand behind me." Satomi warily stepped forward and raised her blades.

Miyako noticed a nervous look on her face, which caught her off guard. It was unlike she had seen her before. She never usually sees Satomi look so nervous when facing a fellow human.

Still, considering that this woman was a stranger, it was best to be cautious. And her defeating all these dangerous people all alone pretty much guaranteed that she could be too much for both Miyako and Satomi to handle. Thus Satomi's nervousness.

Miyako glanced down at her sword, that ice had all melted, she had been heating it up ever since it froze.

And then a strange question came from the stranger. "Are you two bad people?"

Huh?

Why would she ask that? Did that matter? But then again, one should always be wary of bad people. But that question was something you wouldn't expect to be asked outright.

"Who are you?" Satomi asked in a stern tone.

"Someone who killed your pursuers, whoever they were."

"You killed them alone?"

"Of course. They were trivial obstacles, nothing more."

Trivial?!

How could she say something like that? Those people were by no means trivial in any way.

"Now answer my question. Are you bad people or not?"

Miyako placed a hand on Satomi's shoulder and slowly stepped forward. "If within our own definition, then we're not bad people."

"Really now? Well, this damned archipelago has pretty twisted morals, so I wouldn't be so sure of your own definition."

"This damned archipelago…?" Miyako sensed a hint of frustration in her voice when she said that, and a bit of disdain. "Anyway, we don't kill people unnecessarily, and we do not steal."

"Huh. Then I guess that's fine. Alright, then who are you?"

"That is something we would rather not answer," Satomi chimed in.

"Oh really? I would prefer to know who I just saved. And the people that were about to run into my camp. A little gratitude would be nice." She then glanced at their swords. "And please sheath those weapons. Unless of course you intend to attack me."

"For all we know, you may be hostile," Satomi answered.

"You know, I dislike being threatened." She sighed. "Nira, block their way."

Miyako sensed something coming. She quickly turned around behind them and saw a black fog landing on the ground before forming into a humanoid figure. However, it was covered completely in cloth. You couldn't see a single sign of skin.

So she wasn't alone? And the fog, is it not human?

"Are you monsters?" Miyako couldn't help but ask the woman. She had not seen monsters that could converse like this, or even appear human. But that would explain how she could defeat those people so easily. That being said, there were things other than monsters that could achieve something similar.

"I'm asking the questions here."

She doesn't seem to be a bad person. She helped us, complete strangers.

Miyako looked at the two, then she sheathed her blade.

"Milady?"

"Stand down, Satomi. There's no point being hostile to our saviors."

"But…"

"Please."

Satomi hesitated for a moment before slowly sheathing her weapons. Miyako stepped forward.

"You're right, kind stranger." She slowly bowed her head. "Apologies for the delayed thanks but, thank you for saving us. My name is Miyako Taira. And this is my guard, Satomi Aoki."

"Why were these people after you?"

"That's… That's because I am the daughter of the Lord of Nishinoa island."

"..." The stranger was silent for a brief moment, surprised. "... Interesting. They wanted to kill you?"

"Yes."

"I understand. But what brings the daughter of a lord from another island here? You are far away from home."

"I was supposed to head for Hokugo for a meeting."

"... Huh. Then we're not enemies. Unless you intend to attack me."

"Please, kind stranger. We don't intend to attack you. I don't even see any reason to do so. You have our gratitude."

"Good to hear." She nodded. "Perhaps you would like some rest? I have food."

Miyako smiled. "Thank you so much for the offer."

"Stand down, Nira." With that, the small figure turned into a fog and disappeared into the darkness.

Miyako was still curious about what that was. But now was not the time to ask regarding that. However…

"May I ask who you are, the one who saved us?"

The stranger lowered the hood of her cloak. The moment Miyako laid eyes on her, her eyes widened, flabbergasted and mesmerized. Unveiled was a beautiful young lady, who was slightly younger than her. The young lady was absolutely beautiful, the palest of skin, hair so white that they shone under the gentle moonlight. And her eyes were as deep and thick as the color of blood. She was so unique, almost alien, in these lands. Indeed, she seemed out of place.

Whoever she was, she didn't belong here.

And seeing her stole her breath away, even Satomi's. This girl, this gentle and fragile looking girl, managed to kill all of those dangerous individuals, all by herself.

"I'm Estelia." She smiled slightly. In addition to her beauty, she had that look of extreme fatigue on her. "Follow me to my camp."

The girl started walking. Miyako and Satomi looked at each other and nodded. They followed the girl until they arrived at a camp. But it seemed to be a temporary one, given how simple it was.

The girl waved her hand, and a small ball of flame shot from her hand to the campfire, lighting it up.

Is she a mage?

It couldn't be. Being a mage here was almost suicidal. If she was, that only further proved she wasn't from these lands.

The girl placed a pan on the fire and placed some meat on it. "I'm afraid you have to wait for it to get cooked."

"Uh, that is fine," Miyako said.

"Feel free to sit by the fire and warm yourselves."

Miyako and Satomi slowly sat down by the fire. Miyako felt a great wave of relief, she finally got to rest. She let out a long, relieved sigh. There were no enemies to worry about as well. Which was very good.

"Did you really kill them alone?" Satomi asked.

"Is that so surprising?"

"... How?"

"How…? With weapons…? Daggers."

Miyako tilted her head. "Daggers? So you are a ninja."

The girl, Estelia, froze with a blank face. "Huh?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.